Emperor Gulcasa's chest heaved up and down. He had been stabbed through the breastplate with the Gran Centurio, and was at his last. Golden eyes shimmered in dark delight; his scythe was still gripped in one armored hand, dripping with blood at the tip.
Yggdra looked sickened and she was wincing and sweating; steaming blood was sliding off the Gran Centurio as she held the sword in both hands. The whole area around Gulcasa had just been blazing hot, and though the fires of Brongaa's spirit had been quelled, it smelled as if the whole place was still riddled with flame.
"The strong rule the earth," Gulcasa murmured. His voice was like a soft growl, morphed with the influence of Brongaa. "That is the Bronquian way."
Yggdra stared at him with the most steadfast gaze she could muster. She said nothing.
"O new sovereign..." the young emperor said, "You were magnificent." He looked back at her with bright eyes, running his tongue along the front of his teeth and baring a twisted grin.
"...A world controlled by power is cruel and empty," Yggdra finally replied, in an attempt to avoid his strangely pleased expression. "Power is defined by those who wield it. My parents' deaths may still seethe within me, but... I mustn't let those feelings control my power. I have sworn to use my power to protect my people." The queen watched silently as Gulcasa's mouth opened again, between heavy breaths.
"Heh..." Somehow, the emperor's voice managed to grow stronger. "Foolish to the end, I see... But still... I... applaud you. Your heart... so strong... You have... a purpose and... you defeated us. But your will... You are still... so indecisive. I can see... you regret it. Don't regret it..."
Yggdra had been standing over him, but she became so weak from fatigue and the heat, she fell to her knees. Weakly, Gulcasa dropped his scythe and used his hand to touch the girl's face. She shivered. His armor was still so warm against her cheek... "Wha... what are you talking about?" she hissed, eyes narrowed, but she could not muster the strength to move his hand away, nor could she back away from him.
"You do not think for yourself..." said Gulcasa. "You claim justice on your sword... But what... do you believe? Think, and act on... what you truly... what really..." A deep breath, and he continued on. "Do what you think is right... but for... your... self..." His hand slipped away onto the gaping hole in his armor. Gulcasa closed his eyes and smiled.
Yggdra's expression was pained. It was one of regret... horror... shock... sadness...
The emperor was still proud, regardless. He looked so strangely satisfied. Was he happy? Why was he so happy? "It is..." his chest was heaving and every breath saved only seconds of time, "an honor to... die at y... your... h... ha... hands."
His voice finally faded away.
"Gulcasa... I... Gulcasa! Just..."
The emperor gave a frail smirk as the pain began to simmer away. He could feel his strength fading. Even his thoughts were becoming vague, though one still remained as the darkness swept him away.
Yggdra... Don't you realize? There is no shame in doing what must be done.
A/N: This must have been the fifth edit of this or something... I can't get it to sound right. DX But, anyways, it's, uh... Feral's fault. Yeah. Blame her, not me.